NOPE Responds to documents and motion filed by Duke

On Friday April 13th, Duke submitted supplemental documents to their application and requested that OPSB resume approval proceedings on expedited timing.

Based upon a preliminary review, Duke’s supplemental filing appears to be focused on additional details regarding Pristine, Inc’s environmental Superfund site, located along the Green Route (western route, adjacent to I-75). There were also routing modifications along the Green Route to accommodate requests from businesses and to locate more of the pipeline under roadways.

On Monday April 16th,James Yskamp, NOPE’s attorney, filed a motion with the OPSB. The motion highlights the fact that Duke acknowledges they did not sufficiently investigate both routes submitted in their 2016 application. The motion further states that the public must be given the sufficient time to understand revisions to Duke’s application, have questions answered via an information meeting held by Duke and have an opportunity to provide testimony in the form of another public hearing. Further, a review of both routes in light of new information must be conducted.

Following NOPE’s motion, both Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and the City of Blue Ash have filed similar documents with OPSB, expressing agreement with NOPEand including additional requests. Be sure to thank your elected officials, who continue to look out for the interests of our communities!

The adjudicatory judge will review Duke’s submission, as well as motions filed by NOPE and other attorneys, to determine what happens next.

Thanks to many in the NOPE community who have donated funds, so that we could hire an attorney to protect our interests. Your continued financial support will be critical in the coming months, as we progress through the legal proceedings. Please donate if you can!

Here are the things that have NOT CHANGED since Duke put the project on hold last August:

The Central Corridor Pipeline is still a large (20″ diameter) high pressure (500 psi) 13 mile north-south transmission system for natural gas.

The pipeline is still located straight through densely populated communities — near homes, schools and daycare centers, places of worship, businesses, parks, and places where lots of people congregate. If a failure were to occur on a pipeline of this size and scale, the results could be catastrophic and devastating.

There are two routes being considered — the Green line (western route, adjacent to I-75) and the Orange line (eastern route, adjacent to I-71). OPSB preferred the Green line, while Duke recommended the Orange line. Both routes are still on the table for consideration, throughout the adjudicatory process.

NOPE believes the project is unnecessary, irresponsible and not in the best interest of the communities it is supposed to be serving.

Municipal leaders across 12+ communities continue to oppose Duke’s pipeline on behalf of their communities. They are part of an inter jurisdictional legal opposition coalition.

Concerned citizens who oppose the pipeline must continue to stay engaged and make their voices heard.

Duke seems to have a corporate culture that sees issues from their own point of view. This can translate to a lack of understanding and empathy of the very people they are supposed to be serving. Note this recent safety issue in Carmel, Indiana. … https://t.co/nxemSedXjI

If you live or work near Conrey and School Rd, near Stewart Elementary School, be aware that Duke is doing pipeline inspection work in the area. (This is the location where the Central Corridor Pipeline would connect to the WW feeder station.)